State agencies that have already cut their budgets to the bone are now facing the prospect of lopping off limbs. Last week, the agencies that depend on Montana’s general fund were notified that they have until Sept. 8 to submit suggestions for further reducing spending by as much as 10 percent.

The cuts are needed to make up for a projected $227 million shortfall over the next two budget years. They would be in addition to the $70 million in cuts already made this fiscal year, which began July 1.

There has been a rash of statue bashing — both figurative and literal — of late.

People are upset that there are statues of prominent Confederates and want them removed. In some cases, officials have done just that. We can — and probably will — continue to argue about statues. What’s more, it’s fair to say that both sides can make decent arguments why they are right and the other side is wrong.

The United States’ lengthy economic recovery and low unemployment rate seem to be promising signs, but cracks in the foundation reveal some concerns for the future.

While the official unemployment rate has hit a 16-year low, at 4.3 percent, the “U-6” underemployment rate, which includes those who would like to work full-time, but have been forced to take part-time jobs, remains stubbornly high at 8.6 percent.

TOKYO — Conventional wisdom says that if North Korea were ever to use its nuclear weapons, it would be an act of suicide. But brace yourself for what deterrence experts call the “theory of victory.”

To many who have studied how nuclear strategies actually work, it’s conceivable North Korea could escalate to a nuclear war and still survive. Tuesday’s missile test suggests once again it may be racing to prepare itself to do just that — but only if forced into a corner.

There’s probably not a single Montanan who doesn’t know why. The story is by now familiar to everyone:

On the literal eve of the May 25 special federal election to fill Ryan Zinke’s U.S. House seat, Republican candidate Greg Gianforte, 56, vying for the seat with political newcomer Rob Quist, assaulted Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs.